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Talladega Superspeedway is “over-the-top excitement – on and off the track,” so says the folks at www.nascar.com.

Talladega, AL Flickr photo by Pamarama73

Construction began on the 2,000 acre site now known as the Talladega Superspeedway, on May 23, 1968, on what was once termed soybean farming land. And ever since that first race in September 1969, the track has surpassed “every initial expectation in terms of sheer size, speed and competition.” Talladega has beenknown for setting precedents (the first 500 miles were run without an incident); establishing records and developing careers (with names like Brickhouse, who was the first winner of a NASCAR Cup Race at Talladega; Pete Hamilton, who won the first two major events and David Pearson becoming the first three-time winner at Talladega). This list goes on and on, including Buddy Baker, Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison, Bill Elliott for his world stock-car record when he posted a speed of 212.809 mph; and Dale Earnhardt who posted 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup victories at Talladega over the years. We also can’t forget Dale Earnhardt Jr., who followed in his father’s footsteps to victory lane.

The 2.66 mile long track with four lanes is banked at 33 degrees at each end, with an 18 degree banking in the tri-oval. This set-up, along with the 4,000 foot long backstretch has produced some of the fastest and most competitive racing in history where speeds have reached in the excess of 220 mph in competition.